NWSL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: SAMANTHA KERR

Sam Kerr Keeps Hot Streak Alive With Hat-Trick

Samantha Kerr continues her stellar performance in 2017 as she bagged a hat-trick over the weekend in a comeback win versus FC Kansas City. Kerr has also been named the NWSL Player of the Month for both May and June this season, only the second player in league history to win Player of the Month accolades over consecutive months.

“On behalf of our entire club, we want to send out a huge congratulations to Sam,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “This recognition is a true representation of the mentality and culture that has been built around Sky Blue FC by these fantastic players. We are very excited about our comeback win last weekend and delighted that Sam was able to apply the finishing touches to some fun attacking play.”

Kerr was quick to credit her latest achievement onto the shoulders of her teammates.

“It takes more than one player to win a game, and we had many other people who played well this weekend,” said Kerr. “To come back from being down two-nil in the 78th minute really shows our team character. Everyone on our team played their part, including the subs as well as beyond the subs. Overall, it was a massive team effort. It is nice to feel the love from everyone, but the team deserves this more than me.”

This past Saturday versus FC Kansas City, Kerr recorded a hat-trick in 12 minutes to lead Sky Blue FC from a 2-0 deficit in the 78th minute. The hat-trick was just the second ever by a Sky Blue FC player (Nadia Nadim-2014) and the 11th overall in NWSL history. The three goals also topped Jess McDonald to make Kerr the NWSL’s all-time leading goal scorer with 35 overall.

Photo Credit: ISI Photos/Robyn W. McNeil

Down 2-0 on Saturday, Kerr’s first goal came in the 78th minute. Kelley O’Hara delivered a beautiful cross into the penalty area as a speeding Kerr ran onto the ball and redirected a diving header past Nicole Barnhart to put Sky Blue FC on the board. The goal was featured on the SportsCenter Top 10 — the third consecutive match in which a Kerr finish landed on the flagship program of ESPN.

In the 81st minute, Taylor Lytle collected possession in the midfield before playing Daphne Corboz. She then quickly hit Raquel Rodriguez with a one-two ball before sending a hard roller towards Kerr inside the 18-yard box. Showing no hesitation, Kerr immediately struck a right-footed shot that didn’t allow Barnhart any time to react, equalizing the contest at two apiece.

The final Kerr strike came in the 90th minute. Corboz first gathered from 25 yards out before sending a ball to Lytle who one-timed it towards Kerr as she made a run into the penalty area. Kerr then rolled the feed with her right foot before slotting it past Barnhart, scoring her third goal in 12 minutes to lead Sky Blue FC from being down 2-0.

Photo Credit: ISI Photos

This award marks the fourth time that Kerr has been honored as the NWSL Player of the Week (second this season). She joins former Washington Spirit forward Crystal Dunn (6), FC Kansas City forward Sydney Leroux (4) and Seattle Reign FC forward Nahomi Kawasumi (4) as the only players to accomplish the feat on four occasions.

Sky Blue FC will return home to Yurcak Field this Saturday, July 15, hosting the Chicago Red Stars at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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Chris Rael is a reporter for GoalNation and covers youth and adult soccer.
A multimedia artist whose hobbies include camping, traveling and playing football as much as possible. Chris is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands.